Shoe shine apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for use in shining shoes, including a pair of power driven shoe brushing means rotatable about a common horizontal axis, with each shoe brushing means operatively associated with a shoe supporting means. Each of the shoe supporting means is mounted for power rotation about a vertically disposed axis and includes releasable retaining means for engaging the interior of a supported shoe. The shoe supporting means are detailed in location relative to the brushing means so that all polished surfaces of a pair of supported shoes are contacted during rotation of the brushing means and shoe supporting means. A single motor is operatively associated with the shoe brushing means and the shoe supporting means for effecting simultaneous rotation thereof in a shoe shining operation. The shoe shining apparatus includes polish dispensing means operatively associated with each of the brushing means, with the polish dispensing means including cover means supported between the polish dispensing means and the shoe brushing means and selectively movable between closed and opened conditions to permit polish to be applied to shoes during rotation of the brushes.

United States Patent 1 Lashley 1 Sept. 18, 1973 SHOE SHINE APPARATUS [76] inventor: George D. Lashley, 3098 Old Norcross Rd., Tucker, Ga. 30084 [22] Filed: Feb. 7, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 224,117

[52] U.S. Cl. 15/31, 15/34 [51] Int. Cl. A471 23/02, A471 23/11 [58] Field of Search 15/30, 31, 32, 34,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,769,993 11/1956 Fernandez ..15/97A 3,393,414 7/1968 Pastorini ..15/34 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,628,487 12/1970 Germany 15/34 Primary ExaminerEdward L. Roberts Attorney-Edward Taylor Newton et al.

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for use in shining shoes, including a pair of power driven shoe brushing means rotatable about a common horizontal axis, with each shoe brushing means operatively associated with a shoe supporting means. Each of the shoe supporting means is mounted for power rotation about a vertically disposed axis and includes releasable retaining means for engaging the interior of a supported shoe. The shoe supporting means are detailed in location relative to the brushing means so that all polished surfaces of a pair of supported shoes are contacted during rotation of the brushing means and shoe supporting means. A single motor is operatively associated with the shoe brushing means and the shoe supporting means for effecting simultaneous rotation thereof in a shoe shining operation. The shoe shining apparatus includes polish dispensing means operatively associated with each of the brushing means, with the polish dispensing means including cover means supported between the polish dispensing means and the shoe brushing means and selectively movable between closed and opened conditions to permit polish to be applied to shoes during rotation of the brushes.

12 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED SE?! 819% satin-11F 2 FIG 2A FIG 2 PATENTED W susaeer FIG M FIG 7 suos sums APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a shoe shining apparatus and is more particularly concerned with a small compact apparatus which can be effectively utilized by an individual at home for simultaneously shining a pair of shoes.

The task of shining an individual s shoes at home has been commonly accomplished by manual effort, both in applying the polish to the shoes and buffing the shoes to a desired appearance.

There have been some attempts made to provide portable shoe buffing means which are power driven and operable for brushing a shoe. However, these portable shoe buffing means only include one or more brushes and do not include means for supporting a shoe relative to the brushes or for applying polish to the shoe. In these prior art shoe buffing machines, the individual must support the shoe being polished, either on the foot or support the shoe by hand, and manually rotate the shoe to a number of adjusted positions relative to the shoe brushing means to permit all of the polished surfaces to be adequately buffed in a shoe shining operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above disadvantages of the prior art have been overcome by the present invention which basically includes a small, compact, lightweight shoe shining apparatus having a pair of power driven shoe brushing means and a pair of power rotatable shoe supporting means, with one shoesupporting means being positioned adjacent each of the shoe brushing means and operable so that a supported shoe can be moved relative to the brushing means whereby all of the polished surfaces of the supported shoe can be brushed.

An important feature of the present invention includes polish dispensing means operatively associated with each of the shoe brushing means, with the polish dispensing means including cover means selectively movable between an open shoe polish dispensing position and a closed position.

A further important feature of the present invention is the construction of selectively adjustable shoe supporting means for supporting shoes of different sizes.

Another important feature of the present invention is the provision of a single power drive means operable for effecting simultaneous rotation of a pair of shoe brushing means and a pair of shoe supporting means.

An .additional object of the present invention is to provide a shoe shining apparatus which is simple in construction, compact in size, economical to manufacture and reliable in performance.

Still other objects and advantages of the details of construction will become apparent after reading the following description of the illustrative embodiment with reference to the attached drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to refer to like parts throughout the several figures, and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe shining apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention, with certain parts broken away and shown in section for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the drive control means utilized in the shoe shining apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a modified drive control means;

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4-7 are schematic end elevational views showing the position of a supported shoe relative to the rotating shoe brushing means, during a number of angular rotated positions of the supported shoe; and,

FIGS. 8-11 are top schematic views corresponding respectively to FIGS. 4-7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, the shoe shining apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and generally represented by the reference numeral 10. The shoe shining apparatus 10 will be described with reference to a pair of shoe brushes ll, 12 and a pair of shoe supporting means 13, 14.

As shown in FIG. 1, the shoe shining apparatus includes a supporting base 15 having a pillow block 16 supported adjacent an intermediate and rearwardly disposed portion of the upper supporting surface. Pillow block 16 is fixed to the supporting surface 15 by conventional bolt connecting means (not shown). A horizontally disposed brush supporting shaft 17 is supported in the pillow block and includes two oppositely extended ends. Shoe brush 11 is supported on one extended end of shaft 17 and shoe brush 12 is supported on an opposite end of shaft 17. Brushes 11, 12 are secured in a fixed position relative to shaft 17 by conventional bolt locking means 18.

Brushes 11, 12 are rotated clockwise, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, by a conventional electric motor 20. Motor 20 is supported on base 15 directly in front of pillow block 16 and includes a power drive shaft 21 having a pulley 22 fixed thereto. Pulley 22 transfers drive by a belt 23 to a pulley 24 fixed to shaft 17. Motor 20 is supplied with power from a conventional supply line (not shown) and is operated between an on" and off" driving condition by a selectively operable control switch 25 located on the base 15 directly in front of motor 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the shoe supporting means 13, 14 includes an upstanding sleeve 26 which is fixed to the supporting base 15 directly forward and aligned with its associated brush. Extending upwardly through the sleeve 26 is a power driven shaft 27. Attached to the upper end of shaft 27 is a conventional shoe tree means constructed of an upwardly open channel member 28. Channel member 28 is fixed to rotatable shaft 27 in angularly disposed relationship relative to a horizontal plane, as shown in FIG. 3. One end of channel member 28 is provided with a heel abutting element 29, with the opposite end of member 28 being open to receive a U-shaped wire element having a base portion 30 with a pair of leg members 31, 32. The leg members 31, 32 include coaxially aligned outwardly extending ends which are selectively received in coaxially aligned openings 33 formed in channel member 28. Channel member 28 includes a plurality of axially aligned openings 33 which will permit adjustment of the U-shaped wire element. The base portion of the U- shaped wire element is pivotally received within a bracket 34 attached to the underside of a toe engaging member 35. The toe engaging member 35 is of conventional construction and is adapted to fit within the toe portion of a shoe for forming the toe portion during a shoe shining operation.

In operation, the toe portion 35 is pivotally adjusted relative to the fixed channel member 28 in a conventional manner, the toe portion 35 inserted within the shoe, with the interior of the shoe heel engaging heel element 29. The shoe is then adjusted downwardly so that the U-shaped wire element is returned to an over center locking engagement with the channel member 28, in a conventional manner.

The shoe supporting means 13, 14 are rotated in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 1, by rotation of the shafts 27. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower end of shafts 27 are provided with pulleys 40. Drive is supplied to pulleys 40 by means of a belt 41 and a pulley drive element 42.

' Pulley 42 is attached to the lower end of drive shaft 43. Drive shaft 43 extends upwardly through base and is supported within pillow block 16. The upper end of shaft 43 is provided with a gear 44 supported for driving engagement with worm gear 45. Worm gear 45 is fixed to shaft 17, whereby rotation of shaft 17 will effect corresponding rotation of gear 44 and shaft 43.

As shown in FIG. 2, a compression spring 46 is located around shaft 43 between pulley 42 and the underside of base 15. Compression spring 46 is operable for spring biasing gear 44 into driving engagement with worm gear 45. The proper tension is maintained on drive belt 41 by means of idler pulley 47. Idler pulley 47 is rotatably supported by arm 48 which is pivotally mounted on the underside of base frame 15 for movement about a pivot support shaft 49. Tension spring 50 is operatively connected between arm 48 and fixed stud shaft 51 which is attached to the underside of base 15 for spring urging pulley 47 in a counterclockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 2.

From the above description of the motor and drive means, it is apparent that the single motor will effect simultaneous rotation of brushes 11, 12 in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIGS. '1 and 2, and will also effect simultaneous rotation of the shoe supporting means 13, 14 in a clockwise direction. The shoe supporting means are angularly aligned relative to each other so that the toe supporting and engaging means is aligned in the same direction whereby a pair of shoes can be supported and rotated adjacent each other about the vertical axes of shafts 27 without the toe of one shoe contacting the toe of the second shoe.

As shown in FIG. 2A, a modified drive control means is shown which includes motor 20 having a worm gear 22a fixed to drive shaft 21. Worm gear 22a is supported in driving engagement with a spur gear 24a fixed to brush supporting shaft 17. The worm gear 22a and spur gear 24a will provide positive drive from motor 20 to shaft 17.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and'2, polish dispensing means is operatively associated with each of the shoe brushes ll, 12. The polish dispensing means includes a cavity portion 60 which is formed in base 15 directly beneath each of the brushes 11, 12. Each cavity 60 is ported shoe for applying the polish to the surface of the shoe.

Each of the shoe polish cavity portions 60 is provided with a cover 62 supported between the upper surface of base 15 and its respective brush 11 or 12. Covers 62 are pivotally attached to base 15 by conventional screw means 63 and are selectively movable between a closed position overlying the cavity portions 60 and an open position displaced from the cavity portions. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the covers 62 includes a recess 64 which will provide means for an operators finger to engage for effecting angular displacement of the cover between the opened and closed positions. Alternatively, screw means 63 may be omitted; and covers 62 may include an extended portion, as shown in phantom line at 62' in FIG. 1, projecting outwardly and around the shoe supporting means 13 and 14, respectively, with the shoe supporting means each defining a pivot axis for angular displacement of the respective cover between opened and closed position.

When the covers are in an opened position, the brushes 11, 12 will contact the shoe polish 61 and will effectively remove predetermined amounts of the polish to be applied to a shoe supported on the shoe supporting means.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 4-1 1, a shoe supported in position on one of the shoe supporting means 13, 14 is rotated about the vertical axis of shaft 27, with the shoe supporting means being detailed in spacing an angular alignment relative to a shoe brush 11 or 12 so that rotary movement of the supported shoe will permit all surface portions to be polished during one cycle of rotation of the shoe.

In operation, the shoes are placed in position on the shoe supporting means 13, 14 and the power motor 20 is operated by control switch 25. The shoes supported in position on the shoe shining apparatus can either be buffed or can be applied with polish and buffed. If it is only necessary to buff the shoes, the shoes are placed in position, the motor drive means is energized and the brushes and shoes are rotated with the shoe polish covers 62 maintained in a closed position. The motor is allowed to continue rotation of the shoe brushing means and the shoe supporting means until the desired buffed appearance is obtained on the shoes, after which the control switch 25 is moved to an off" position. However, should it be necessary to apply polish to the surface of the shoes, the shoes are supported on the shoe supporting means, the motor 20 is energized effecting rotation of the brushes and the supported shoes, and while the brushes and shoes are being rotated, the covers 62 are angularly displaced to an open position. The covers 62 are allowed to remain in an open polishexposed position through at least one cycle of rotation of the shoe supporting means whereby polish can be applied to all portions of the surface of the shoe to be polished. However, should one cycle of rotation of the shoe supporting means during a polish-applying operation not be sufficient, the shoe supporting means can be rotated through an additional cycle of rotation.

After a sufficient amount of polish has been applied to the surface of the shoes, the covers 62 are then returned to the closed position. The shoe brushes 11, 12 are allowed to continue rotation until the desired buffed appearance is obtained, after which the switch 25 is moved in an off position and the supported shoes are removed from the shoe supporting means l3,

It is obvious that a different color polish can be associated with each brush and that one shoe at a time can be shined. Also, automatic timer means can be operatively connected with motor 20 for turning the motor off after a predetermined period of time.

It now becomes apparent that the above described illustrative embodiments of a shoe shining apparatus are capable of obtaining the above stated objects and advantages. It is obvious that those skilled in the art may make modifications in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use in shining shoes comprising, in combination:

a. shoe brushing means;

b. means for supporting a shoe in brushing contact with said shoe brushing means;

0. means for rotating said shoe brushing means; and,

d. means for rotating said shoe supporting means so that a supported shoe can be moved relative to said rotating brushing means, said shoe brushing means being so dimensioned and positioned relative to said means for supporting a shoe in brushing contact with said shoe brushing means that all portions of the polished surface of a supported shoe can be brushed by rotation of said brushing means and said shoe supporting means with said shoe brushing means fixed axially relative to its axis of rotation.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said shoe brushing means and said shoe supporting means are rotated simultaneously.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 further characterized in that a single power drive means is operable for effecting simultaneous rotation of said shoe brushing means and said shoe supporting means.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 further characterized in that said shoe brushing means is rotated about a substantially horizontal axis and said shoe supporting means is rotated about a substantially vertical axis.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said shoe supporting means includes adjustable means for supporting different size shoes.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 further characterized in that said shoe supporting means includes releasable means for engaging the inside of a supported shoe, with said releasable means being operable for contacting the interior of a supported shoe and operable for forming the surface of a shoe to be polished.

7. Apparatus for use in shining shoes comprising in combination:

a. shoe brushing means;

b. means for supporting a shoe in brushing contact with said shoe brushing means, said shoe supporting means including a power driven vertically oriented support shaft having an upwardly open channel member fixed to said shaft and angularly disposed relative to the shaft axis, one end of said upwardly open channel member including a heel engaging means, with the other end of said upwardly open channel member being open to receive the extended ends of a U-shaped wire supporting ele ment having the base portion thereof pivotally attached to a shoe toe engaging means, and wherein said upwardly open channel member is operable to permit adjustment of said toe engaging means relative to said heel engaging means; 0. means for rotating said shoe brushing means by 5 driving said power driven vertically oriented support shaft; and

d. means for rotating said shoe supporting means so that a supported shoe can be moved relative to said rotating brushing means whereby all portions of the polished surface of a supported shoe can be brushed by rotation of said brushing means.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that polish dispensing means is operatively associated with said shoe brushing means for applying polish to said brush and to a supported shoe being polished.

9. Apparatus for use in shining shoes comprising, in combination:

a. shoe brushing means;

b. means for supporting a shoe in brushing contact with said shoe brushing means;

c. means for rotating said shoe brushing means;

d. means for rotating said shoe supporting means so that a supported shoe can be moved relative to said rotating brushing means whereby all portions of the polished surface of a supported shoe can be brushed by rotation of said brushing means; and

e. polish dispensing means operatively associated with said shoe brushing means for applying polish to said brush and to a supported shoe being polished, said polish dispensing means including a selectively movable cover which is normally supported in a closed position disposed between said polish dispensing means and said shoe brushing means, with said cover being movable to an open position to permit said shoe brushing means to contact said polish dispensing means.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said polish cover means includes an extended portion projecting outwardly and around said shoe supporting means, with said shoe supporting means defining a pivot axis for permitting angular displacement of said cover between opened and closed positions.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further charac terized in that said apparatus includes at least two shoe brushing means and at least two shoe supporting means for supporting and polishing a pair of shoes simultaneously, and wherein a single drive means is operatively associated with said at least two brushing means and said at least two shoe supporting means for effecting rotation thereof.

12. Apparatus for use in shining a pair of shoes simul taneously comprising, in combination:

a. at least two shoe brushing means;

b. at least two means, each for supporting a shoe in brushing contact with a respective one of said shoe brushing means;

c. means for rotating each of said shoe brushing means;

d. means for rotating each of said shoe supporting means so that a supported shoe can be moved relative to said contacted rotating brushing means whereby all portions of the polished surface of a supported shoe can be brushed by rotation of said brushing means;

polish dispensing means including a cover means supported between said shoe polish dispensing means and said shoe polish brushing means, with said cover means being selectively movable between an opened and closed position. 

1. Apparatus for use in shining shoes comprising, in combination: a. shoe brushing means; b. means for supporting a shoe in brushing contact with said shoe brushing means; c. means for rotating said shoe brushing means; and, d. means for rotating said shoe supporting means so that a supported shoe can be moved relative to said rotating brushing means, said shoE brushing means being so dimensioned and positioned relative to said means for supporting a shoe in brushing contact with said shoe brushing means that all portions of the polished surface of a supported shoe can be brushed by rotation of said brushing means and said shoe supporting means with said shoe brushing means fixed axially relative to its axis of rotation.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said shoe brushing means and said shoe supporting means are rotated simultaneously.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 further characterized in that a single power drive means is operable for effecting simultaneous rotation of said shoe brushing means and said shoe supporting means.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 further characterized in that said shoe brushing means is rotated about a substantially horizontal axis and said shoe supporting means is rotated about a substantially vertical axis.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said shoe supporting means includes adjustable means for supporting different size shoes.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 further characterized in that said shoe supporting means includes releasable means for engaging the inside of a supported shoe, with said releasable means being operable for contacting the interior of a supported shoe and operable for forming the surface of a shoe to be polished.
 7. Apparatus for use in shining shoes comprising in combination: a. shoe brushing means; b. means for supporting a shoe in brushing contact with said shoe brushing means, said shoe supporting means including a power driven vertically oriented support shaft having an upwardly open channel member fixed to said shaft and angularly disposed relative to the shaft axis, one end of said upwardly open channel member including a heel engaging means, with the other end of said upwardly open channel member being open to receive the extended ends of a U-shaped wire supporting element having the base portion thereof pivotally attached to a shoe toe engaging means, and wherein said upwardly open channel member is operable to permit adjustment of said toe engaging means relative to said heel engaging means; c. means for rotating said shoe brushing means by driving said power driven vertically oriented support shaft; and d. means for rotating said shoe supporting means so that a supported shoe can be moved relative to said rotating brushing means whereby all portions of the polished surface of a supported shoe can be brushed by rotation of said brushing means.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that polish dispensing means is operatively associated with said shoe brushing means for applying polish to said brush and to a supported shoe being polished.
 9. Apparatus for use in shining shoes comprising, in combination: a. shoe brushing means; b. means for supporting a shoe in brushing contact with said shoe brushing means; c. means for rotating said shoe brushing means; d. means for rotating said shoe supporting means so that a supported shoe can be moved relative to said rotating brushing means whereby all portions of the polished surface of a supported shoe can be brushed by rotation of said brushing means; and e. polish dispensing means operatively associated with said shoe brushing means for applying polish to said brush and to a supported shoe being polished, said polish dispensing means including a selectively movable cover which is normally supported in a closed position disposed between said polish dispensing means and said shoe brushing means, with said cover being movable to an open position to permit said shoe brushing means to contact said polish dispensing means.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 9 further characterized in that said polish cover means includes an extended portion projecting outwardly and around said shoe supporting means, with said shoe supporting means defining a pivot axis for permitting angulAr displacement of said cover between opened and closed positions.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that said apparatus includes at least two shoe brushing means and at least two shoe supporting means for supporting and polishing a pair of shoes simultaneously, and wherein a single drive means is operatively associated with said at least two brushing means and said at least two shoe supporting means for effecting rotation thereof.
 12. Apparatus for use in shining a pair of shoes simultaneously comprising, in combination: a. at least two shoe brushing means; b. at least two means, each for supporting a shoe in brushing contact with a respective one of said shoe brushing means; c. means for rotating each of said shoe brushing means; d. means for rotating each of said shoe supporting means so that a supported shoe can be moved relative to said contacted rotating brushing means whereby all portions of the polished surface of a supported shoe can be brushed by rotation of said brushing means; e. a single drive means operatively associated with said at least two brushing means and said at least two shoe supporting means for effecting rotation thereof; and f. polish dispensing means operatively associated with each of said shoe brushing means for applying polish to said rotated brushing means, each of said polish dispensing means including a cover means supported between said shoe polish dispensing means and said shoe polish brushing means, with said cover means being selectively movable between an opened and closed position. 